چټکۍ
chatakaí
The English word 'cockroach' is translated into Pashto as چټکۍ (chatakaí).
The term refers to the type of insect known as a cockroach.
Meaning: type of insect (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is chatakaí.
Did you know?
- While the word refers to a pest, the root چټک is often used as a compliment to describe a person with a 'sharp' or 'quick' mind.
- The Pashto word چټکۍ is derived from the root for 'fast' or 'quick'.
- Because the word is based on the concept of 'speed', it can be used metaphorically to describe someone who moves very quickly.
Example conversation
Zala and Zalmai are in the kitchen.
- زالا Zalaزلمای، ګوره! دلته یوه چټکۍ ده.Zalmai, gora! Delta yawa chataki da.Zalmai, look! There is a cockroach here.
- زلمای Zalmayچیرته ده؟ زه یې نه وینم.Cherta da? Za ye na winam.Where is it? I don't see it.
- زالا Zalaهغه د میز لاندې ده.Hagha da mez lande da.It is under the table.
- زلمای Zalmayزه به یې اوس لیرې کړم.Za ba ye os lere kram.I will get rid of it now.
